U.S. News, Princeton Review, Forbes, Niche list Salve among the nation’s best colleges and universities
Salve continues to be recognized for academics, student experience, our beautiful campus and more.
According to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics, there are about 3,896 degree-granting colleges and universities in the United States. Every year, key publications and research organizations look at those institutions from various angles and publish their annual “best of” college lists to highlight those that stand out. Salve Regina University is once again recognized on these lists for the quality of our academics, our commitment to service and our beautiful campus, among other things.
Salve climbed three places in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report ranking, moving to 24th among universities in the North region (from 27th in 2025). Salve also made the report’s list of “best value schools,” “top performers on social mobility,” “undergraduate teaching” and “best undergraduate nursing” programs and appears on the inaugural list of “best undergraduate psychology” programs.
The 2026 edition of the annual Princeton Review recognizes Salve among the best regional colleges in the North. The guide brings together survey results from over 170,000 students across the country to find out what they love the most about these schools in everything from financial aid and career services to sustainability and quality of life.
We’re particularly proud that Salve ranks 5th on Princeton Review’s list of the 25 schools that students report are “most engaged in community service” – a jump from 10th last year. Salve is also among the top “green colleges” and those with the “most beautiful campuses.”
Salve appears on Forbes’ list of the top 500 colleges in the nation and Niche's list of the best colleges in Rhode Island. And thanks to our amazing seaside location in Newport, Salve is regularly recognized on many “most beautiful campus” lists, including Condé Nast’s and Business Insider’s.